Sponsored by the Manufacturing Institute in partnership with Deloitte, University of Phoenix and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the STEP Awards identify and highlight women who have demonstrated manufacturing excellence in science, technology, engineering or production roles through their positive impact on a company's product development, process improvement, projects, sales or other similar activities.

"Science, technology, engineering and production are at the heart of our aerospace and packaging operations, and we are proud that Carmelia and Mary's accomplishments were acknowledged through the STEP awards," said Lisa A. Pauley, senior vice president, human resources and administration at Ball. "Their recognition reinforces Ball's efforts to encourage and embrace diversity of thought in the company's operations. More importantly, it highlights the contributions of two key Ball team members who exemplify our values every day."

The second annual STEP Awards are part of the larger STEP Ahead initiative, founded in 2012 to examine and promote the role of women in science, technology, engineering and production through recognition, research, and best practices for attracting, advancing and retaining strong female talent.

McDonald and Van Horn will be honored among the 160 STEP award recipients, who represent a diverse group of women from all levels of manufacturing, at a reception in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 6. The STEP Awards program will highlight each honoree's story, including their leadership and accomplishments in manufacturing.

About Ball CorporationBall Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, food and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 15,000 people worldwide and reported 2012 sales of more than $8.7 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect: a) our packaging segments include product demand fluctuations; availability/cost of raw materials; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve productivity improvements or cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; b) our aerospace segment include funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts; c) the company as a whole include those listed plus: changes in senior management; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions and divestitures; regulatory action or issues including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget, sequestration and debt limit; reduced cash flow; ability to achieve cost-out initiatives; interest rates affecting our debt.